External DVD Burner not working on MBP with Big Sur

[Macmelman]

Hi all,

I recently bought a Mac-compatible Amicool external DVD burner. It was one of the most recommended in several European sites and pricewise was reasonable (about 30 Euros). Also Amazon reviews were quite positive.

The thing is, if I connect it to my 16" MBP (2019 model) running Big Sur, I can see the device in "System report", but it disappears as soon as I introduce a disc. Naturally, the computer does not recognize that a disc has been introduced at all and behaves as if the drive does not exist. I have done the usual resets (SMC, etc.) with no luck.

The drive itself works fine: it behaves as expected when connected to my work computer, a 15" MBP from 2019 running Catalina. My guess is that Big Sur is to blame here. I have heard of other people also having problems with other external optical drives, even with the Apple Superdrive, but I haven't heard of any solution yet.

I am not sure this can be solved unless Apple does something about it (there are discussions in Apple support groups), but if anyone is thinking of getting an external drive, maybe think twice. At least for the moment.

 

[chscag]

No problem here with both of my external DVD drives: LG and Samsung. Both are USB Type A and I'm currently on Big Sur 11.2.3 with an iMac 27" 2017 model.

I've never heard of Amicool. Not a popular brand here in the US. I would return it and try another drive.

 

[Macmelman]

I think it is sold only in Europe (maybe in Asia too). I bought it because all the reviews were very positive. Actually, much better than those of more expensive drives. It actually works well, and I can use it with my work computer, so I'll keep it, no problem. It is not something I will use a lot. I just have quite a few music CDs that I wanted to transfer to the computer.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Are you using the "Y-cable" to connect it? (as in the pic above)

Some external CD/DVD drives require more power than a single USB port can provide.
Hence, the USB "Y-cable".
The single end goes to the drive.
The "dual connector" end goes to TWO ports on the Mac.
NOW there's enough power to make the drive run properly.

Not all drives require this, but SOME do.

I'm thinking if you don't have available ports on the Mac itself, you might consider a POWERED USB hub, and see if the drive will "run through it".

Also... on the back of the drive... is there a "dc power in" port?
You could buy a "power block" (make sure to get the right voltage, etc.), and use that to power the drive.

 

[Macmelman]

OP:

Are you using the "Y-cable" to connect it? (as in the pic above)

Some external CD/DVD drives require more power than a single USB port can provide.
Hence, the USB "Y-cable".
The single end goes to the drive.
The "dual connector" end goes to TWO ports on the Mac.
NOW there's enough power to make the drive run properly.

Not all drives require this, but SOME do.

I'm thinking if you don't have available ports on the Mac itself, you might consider a POWERED USB hub, and see if the drive will "run through it".

Also... on the back of the drive... is there a "dc power in" port?
You could buy a "power block" (make sure to get the right voltage, etc.), and use that to power the drive.

It is supposed to work with only one port, either USB-A or USB-C. Actually in my other MBP with Catalina, it works perfectly with just the USB-C port.

 

[theSeb]

Big Sur could be limiting the power output of the ports. Drive disappearing like you mentioned is one of the symptoms I would expect in a scenario where the drive isn't getting enough power. You would not perhaps have a powered USB 3.0 hub to try this external drive with?

 

[Macmelman]

Big Sur could be limiting the power output of the ports. Drive disappearing like you mentioned is one of the symptoms I would expect in a scenario where the drive isn't getting enough power. You would not perhaps have a powered USB 3.0 hub to try this external drive with?

Actually that worked! I have a Satechi like the one in the picture and using only the USB-C port in it, the drive it does not work, but using both the USB-C and the USB-A at the same time, solves the problem!

In Catalina, the USB-C is enough. Thanks for the advice!